Pipe Cleaners for Cura

James made a pipe cleaner man that he wanted to show the new calf...

Sundays are fun in Cura because the schedule is loose after church is out... so we brought art supplies and jump ropes and candy and socks, all donated by well-wishers from the other side of the planet. 

(You know who you are!)

Sharon couldn't decide whether she wanted to start with the pipe cleaners or the construction paper...

Maxwell started a colorful glasses trend! 

Fruitful!

Gilbert and I brought apples and bananas to Cura yesterday, thanks to generous children and their parents in Alki (Seattle) -- many thanks to Simone for organizing their efforts!

This morning, I met with Nairobi's Roots and Shoots program director, Linus, to dream up exciting programs for Cura Secondary School.

This week has primarily been about meetings like this one: to connect with organizations whose missions align with ours and to explore ways to partner for mutual benefit. This kind of work is inspiring for me, though I confess that it's not particularly photogenic!

Balloons in the Shape of our Heads

Yesterday, Cura volunteer and supporter, Jenn, came with me for a quick visit. This was her return after a year away, so we celebrated her return with what were supposed to be balloon animals...

There was excited talk about making giraffes and crocodiles and buffalo... but we really mostly ended up with snakes. And balloons in the shape of Henry's head.

A Window Office

Kenya is famous for some of the most breath-taking views in the world, but this is one of my favorites: the view from the visitor's seat, next to the desk in the office of Moses Machara, the Manager of Cura Rotary Home. I'm looking forward to getting back to Cura next week, to catching up with the kids and with Moses and the mothers, with the staff at the Clinic, and with everyone who works so hard on behalf of that incredible community. Watch this space for updates...

100% Sponsorship in 2013!

I am thrilled to report that sponsors for the last three children have stepped up in December -- resulting in 100% sponsorship for 2013! This was a goal for the year that I was resigning myself to not quite achieving... but you all came through for the kids in Cura. What a wonderful way to end the year. 

THANK YOU!

Warm Holiday Wishes from One World Chorus

I was invited to represent Cura at the holiday concert given by One World Chorus in Lake Oswego, Oregon yesterday. Aaron and Diedre continue to enrich children's lives with music... in the US, in Jamaica, and, of course, in Cura. We hope to get Aaron back to Cura soon!

Successful Cura Health Day -- Thanks to Lake Oswego Rotary!

On Saturday, 16 November, Cura Clinic held a successful Community Health Day, funded by a generous grant from the Lake Oswego Rotary's International Committee. Jane, Margaret and Perris put this event together with one week's notice, distributing flyers around the village and into Wangige, and even doing a morning walk-about to spread the news (and to simultaneously participate in the nation-wide Polio Vaccination effort scheduled for the same weekend). Jane reports that the event was an enormous success...

95 community members were tested for HIV, and all of the results were negative. Excellent news!

 200 people were tested for diabetes, and those who tested positive were started on a course of treatment.

Beverages and snacks were served under a festive tent, bringing nearly 300 Cura community members together over the course of the day.

 The volunteer lab technicians and health workers made sure everyone received de-worming medications, Vitamin A, and polio vaccinations -- and free mosquito nets were given to expectant mothers and families with new babies. The event was a hit, and the community says THANK YOU to Lake Oswego Rotary for making it happen!